Appeal No. 96-3376
Application 08/164,889
a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that
of a truncated right circular cone frustum.
In this particular case, we look to the embodiment
of the mixer seen in Figures 4 and 6 of Carre, noting that the
rings (13) therein are substantially concentric with the base
of the rotor (2) and extend outwardly in a radial direction
from the base. However, as recognized by the examiner, the
cross sectional shape of the rings in Carre Figures 4 and 6 is
rectangular, not that of a "truncated right circular cone
frustum," as in appellants' claim 30 on appeal. The examiner
turns to Forbes for the teachings of this feature in a mixing
device, noting that the rings (90) of the rotor flange (54) and
the rings (94) of the stator plate (75) therein have
complementary shaped cooperating surfaces spaced to define
annular mixing volumes and cross sectional configurations in the
form of a truncated right circular cone frustum. In column 5,
line 65, through column 6, line 10, Forbes notes that the
complementary surfaces of the rings/ridges (90, 94) force the
materials being mixed to pass therebetween in the form of a thin
undulating stream and create a shear field to further reduce the
particle size of the dispersed phase of the dispersion. The
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